Temperature control device and method

摘要

A temperature control system for safely controlling the rate of flow of a flammable fluid at generally constant pressure is disclosed. The system may include a flow control apparatus that is free of a regulator mechanism, for affecting the flow of the fluid. The flow control apparatus may be operable between at least a first flow rate and a second flow rate, and may have at least one upstream opening and at least one downstream opening. The system may also include a first burner in fluid communication with the downstream opening of the flow control apparatus and a conduit in fluid communication at one end thereof with the upstream opening of the flow control apparatus, and configured at the other end thereof for connection to a fuel supply. A thermocouple may be located in the vicinity of the burner or an appliance used in conjunction with the burner. The thermocouple converts a sensed thermal state into an electrical signal. An electronic controller, in communication with the flow control apparatus, for activating the flow control apparatus to one of said first and second flow rates, and being in communication with the thermocouple for receiving the electrical signal from the thermocouple is also provided. An interface connected to the controller for manually inputting a desired temperature may be included, wherein the controller is operable to automatically cycle the flow control apparatus between the first and second flow rates until the temperature sensed by the thermocouple is similar to the desired temperature.

主权项

1. A cooking apparatus, comprising:
a vessel having an internal surface for containing a liquid; a safety device for controlling the rate of flow of a flammable fluid received from a regulator at generally constant pressure, the safety device including:
a flow control apparatus, free of a pressure regulator mechanism, for affecting the flow of the fluid, the flow control apparatus being operable between at least a first non-zero flow rate and a second higher flow rate, and having at least one upstream opening and at least one downstream opening;a first burner in fluid communication with the downstream opening of the flow control apparatus, the burner being located for imparting energy to the vessel adjacent an external surface of the vessel;a conduit in fluid communication at one end thereof with the upstream opening of the flow control apparatus, and configured at the other end thereof for connection to a fuel supply;a thermocouple, located in the vicinity of the vessel, for converting a sensed thermal state into an electrical signal;an electronic controller in communication with the flow control apparatus for activating said flow control apparatus to one of said first and second flow rates, and being in communication with the thermocouple for receiving the electrical signal from the thermocouple;a microprocessor for controlling operation of the electronic controller including determining between manual and automatic modes of operating the flow control apparatus; andan interface connected to the controller for manually inputting a desired temperature, wherein the controller is operable to automatically cycle said flow control apparatus between said first and second flow rates until the temperature sensed by the thermocouple is similar to the desired temperature; andthe safety control device is free of a pressure regulator between an upstream end of the conduit and the burner.